Nadine's husband John turned 40 today, and a milestone birthday like that requires a celebration. So she decided to surprise him with a little party, and I was more than happy to help with the festivities.
Main problem with throwing John a surprise party? Getting him out of the house. John is, dare I say, pretty much a couch potato (or more like computer/video game potato), so throwing a surprise party isn't the easiest thing in the world. Their puppy Sasha has been attending "Puppy Kindergarten" and Nadine originally thought her "graduation" was the weekend of John's birthday, which would get both of them out of the house so I could set everything up. Once she realized graduation was the weekend before, she went to plan B - an hour long massage at Burke-Williams spa. She definitely wins Wife of the Year for that one!
While she was getting him out of the house, I helped by getting a sign made for the front door celebrating the end of John's "youth." Nadine originally had just the text in mind, but I had a great photo from Easter two years ago that I thought would make a fun background. So with some help from a very friendly tech at Kinko's (there is nothing those people can't do!), we got ourselves a photo quality poster.
Our guests arrived and snacked on some chips and dip while we waited for John. I was a little worried he'd see the sign on the door, turn around and head to the nearest bar without ever walking in! But apparently his massage relaxed him enough to make a grand entrance. So relaxed that his shirt was buttoned crooked!
And of course, I had to get some video.... John's a pretty mellow guy, so he took it all in stride.
He's also the only person I know who brings out a sharpening steel and a 10" chef's knife to cut a birthday cake...then goes to lick the blade. Are we sure he's actually 40?
Sasha, who is in the puppy "I wanna love/jump on everybody" phase, was actually very good during the party. Bailey and Ziggy were happy upstairs until things calmed down a bit, which made Miss Sasha the center of attention, and she got belly rubs from everyone. She apparently also likes her beer....probably due to her Canadian heritage (she's part Newfoundland).
And she's a true "Daddy's Girl."
Bailey and Ziggy came down later to say hello. Everyone loves Bailey, but he was more concerned with cake than attention. He's normally very good about not begging, but chocolate cake with raspberry filling and sweet icing is too fun to miss!
He got a tiny bite, and managed to get a couple of quick licks of icing off one piece when we weren't looking. Guess it helps when your head is just the right height to reach the table?
Many thanks to all the friends and family (including canine ones) that helped make John's 40th special. Now he can get back to the computer....
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